So Frankly...

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Ahead Mr. Sulu! Fun Factor 10! - Recent Star Trek Games

I have played several computer and board game versions of the Star Trek universe over the years. I am a huge fan of all things Star Trek: in particular the original cast. Since this is a boardgaming blog, I won't talk about the best computer game (Birth of the Federation, in case you are wondering), just my current candidate for the best board game: Star Trek: Fleet Captains.

Promotional image

In this game, two players each have a small fleet of starships: one Federation, one Klingon. Each ship is an actual miniature model of the ship, taking the Awsomeness Factor nearly over the top. (Unfortunately, they don't come painted, or it would be crazy good!) Taking turns, players move around the Alpha Quadrant exploring planets and scientific phenomena, encountering aliens, completing missions and battling one another. This is done with crew members of the various shows actually adding abilities to the ships in play. As one owner of the game remarked, you end up playing a season of the Star Trek show.

But, if you really do paint them, WOW! (Image by Paul Paella)

The story the game tells is fantastic, though it has what some will find to be a fatal flaw. There are ships from every show in the game, and this doesn't fit a good timeline, nor does it fit having the Klingon's as adversaries in the later years. Hey, the movies can do a reboot; I have no problems suspending reality in a science fiction game.

Now, I am not going to do an in-depth review. Having played this a couple of times now, I will say that it is not a casual game. This game has a lot of moving parts, both literally and figuratively. Keeping track of the actions going on, the special abilities of the crew members and ships, which things moving through space are cloaked ships and which are echos -- it's a lot! There are still a few situations in the game that I am not sure we've played correctly.

Promotional Image

Having said that, you are still wondering what game the Trekker should have under the tree on Christmas, there is another possibility: Star Trek: Expeditions. This is a cooperative game where, from the website:

You take on the roles of Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Uhura responding to an invitation from the Nibian government to open discussions about the planet joining the United Federation of Planets... Lead your away teams made up of crew and resources from the Enterprise to solve the major story arcs plus key side missions before the Klingon Fleet arrives or the lone cloaked Klingon Battle cruiser in orbit destroys the Enterprise and her crew. Three difficulty levels, random side missions, player strategies and a unique branching mission tree ensure every game will be a unique memorable experience.

According to those who have played both, if Fleet Captains is like playing a season, Expeditions is like playing an episode. Alas, I have not played both. (Must.. resist... purchasing... until... after... Christmas...!) While Expeditions doesn't receive the ratings and rave reviews of Fleet Captains, it still is a solid game, and seems to be more family friendly. It's also designed by Reiner Knizia, one of the most respected board game designers ever. I will get to play it one of these days, even if I don't end up with it on my shelves.

These are the latest in Star Trek games, and if your Trekker is anything like me, they will greatly appreciate the chance to live out the story. If he or she is also a gamer, go for Fleet Captains, otherwise, Expedtions. For me, these games would be a much better choice than say, giving me a uniform. I don't look as good in tights as Seven of Nine...